I was disappointed to see that they split the two Grindhouse movies after the double-bill flopped in the US. But anything by Tarantino is worth watching and I was looking forward to Death Proof despite only reading the bare details about it.
It is done in pure 1970's style despite being set in the present. He even put flaws and bubbles in the movie for that "authentic" look. I know this messing about annoyed a lot of people but I just reveled in its lighthearted silliness.
The story follows a set of girls wandering around Austin in their car having a fun old time. They are being followed by Kurt Russell in an evil looking automobile. Nothing really happens for an hour in the movie since it is all about dialog and visuals. The girls are all street-smart and a little slutty and I was thrilled to see the chronically mis-cast CSI from NY in a role that suited her vampy looks.
Unfortunately for the girls, Kurt is a psychopathic ex-stuntman in a car that is "Death Proof" due to its reinforcement. The first climactic scene is genuinely shocking and even tho you know what's coming, the cinematography takes your breath away. Tarantino swears he didn't use CGI so I'd love to know how he did it.
The movie then switches to following another bunch of women who all work in the movie industry including two stuntwomen. One of them (Zoe Bell) actually plays herself. The long scene with her riding the bonnet of a Dodge Challenger is fabulous even if it is just a blatant "look what we can do without CGI" two-fingers to the rest of Hollywood.
The psycho returns and meets his match. The movie ends pretty suddenly in a slightly unsatisfying way but overall I loved every minute. As always with Quentin, the soundtrack is awesome and a must-buy.
I'm looking forward to seeing Robert Rodriguez half of the double bill now.
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